by Kristie Cook
I shook my head. As a family, we never discussed stuff like that. And now that he mentioned it, Dad didn’t talk about the past at all.
“I don’t be havin’ time now to be schoolin’ ya. You just come by me house tonight, and I’ll fill ye in on what happened.”
I pressed my eyebrows together. This sounded a heck of a lot more important than banging our swords together, especially if we never intended to fight for real. “But Badger.”
“Don’t be badgerin’ me! Sparrin’ is what we’re supposed to be doin’ now. We’ll talk later, in private.”
I glowered but moved into position. I knew if I didn’t, Badger would knock me on the seafloor without warning. As we fought, I continued to stew. Why was I even here? Dad had no idea the ignorant fool he left me with, spewing asinine propaganda and running crappy drills with weapons we’d never use. If it weren’t for Badger’s company, I didn’t know how I’d survive.
Once we arrived at Badger’s house, I felt less heated and glad we decided to talk in private. Over the day, more questions came to mind, including if he heard any news about Dad.
Badge curled his toes and blew smoke circles while draining his Guinness—something Sandy must have scored last time she visited the mainland.
“Aye, man. I don’t even know where to start. Weren’t ye even partly curious about yer own folk?”
I shifted in my seat and looked at the ground; my orange juice suddenly tasted tart in my mouth. “Not really.”
“Let me see,” Badge leaned back and closed his eyes, “it was back in the spring of 1693. Frederick and Marta Fairchild were charged with the Montauk gate. Why, I don’t know. They weren’t the sharpest tools in the shed. It started out innocent, as they got real friendly with the neighbor folk. But after a bout of the fever, Frederick took to healin’ the people with his secret elixir, our blood hidden in tomato juice.
“Word got out about the cure and more people flocked into town needin’ help. Everythin’ went smooth until people began demandin’ the recipe, showin’ up at all times of the day and night. Of course the mer weren’t around durin’ the night, which started the folk questionin’ but finally someone caught them drainin’ their blood which made a hash of everythin’.
“Only thing they could do was mind-wipe the town and disappear. The gate was sealed, and Frederick and Marta were never heard from again. Rumor has it, they were stripped of their mer and forced to live as humans.”
I looked down at the ground. We weren’t healing anyone, but we were pretty active in the community with our charter business. If this was such a huge fear, why were we allowed to do so? “Are we the only family who lives on land?”
“As far as I know. Most mer guardin’ a gate are scared of losin’ their fins so they stick close to Natatoria. But Jack is a different lot. The Council likes for him to keep tabs of what’s goin’ on up there.”
I laughed under my breath and tried to keep from squirming in my seat. How could we be the only family who lived on land? Was that why Uncle Alaster wanted our gate so badly? Colin had said someone noticed we were getting too friendly. Was he purposely spreading rumors to get us kicked out? To get our fins taken from us?
I gulped, suddenly weighted with the responsibility. The King could, in all honesty, frown on Tatch’s friendship with Ash. I could lose Tahoe.
“But it be nothin’ to worry about.” Badger scratched his beard. “Azor’s off his nutter. No one’s goin’ to be so daft to do that again. But still, let the plonker blather with his gammy and fake like you be on his side.”
I’d assumed something completely different—like a band of rebel mers threatened to overtake the palace and start a new reign or something. That would make more sense after Azor’s speech, spoken to mermen who never left Natatoria. A javelin couldn’t compete with a torpedo or a gun. Mind-wiping would be our only defense against humans.
“Yeah, sure.” I stared at the painting of Badger’s old ship, anxious to change the subject. I liked things better when I didn’t know the truth. “Do you know were my dad went?”
“No, lad.” He shrugged. “I haven’t got a baldy.”
I assumed “baldy” meant he didn’t know. “So you’re good friends?”
“Aye.” Badger sat up to pour himself another stout. “I suspect if I weren’t one of the bottom feeders, he’d a took me with him.”
I squinted, working hard to follow his Irish slang.
Badger sighed and bowed his head. “Son, there be some right ole hoors who don’t be trustin’ us turned folk. They say if left alone, we’d be goin’ back to the mainland just to tell our friends the secret.”
“What? That’s crazy.”
“I agree. And because of it, we be treated like the womenfolk, forced to have the coppers keep an eye on us gits.”
I laughed. Chaperones were a far cry from actual cops, mostly intrusive and annoying. But the whole idea of keeping everyone under lock and key over an event that happened such a long time ago seemed senseless. We blended into society perfectly fine without any suspicion. “Well, I trust ya, Badge,” I offered eagerly.
“I know, Son.” He raised his glass to me. “Fer that, I’m truly grateful. And fer Jack too. He never be lookin’ down his nose at me.”
I tapped my glass against his and took a swig of my juice. “So, if you could guess what they’re doing, what would you say?”
“Maybe rescuing someone. Or fixin’ a slip up. Who knows?”
I slumped in my chair, suddenly aware of our responsibility. We were in a big test tube, being watched to see who we’d stay loyal to. Tatch was going to blow everything when she chose to become human.
Badge looked at me with pity in his eyes. “Man, you look shook. Why aren’t ya with yer pals doin’ the ri-ra?”
“Oh,” I scuffed my foot on the ground, my stomach sick, unsure what ri-ra meant. “I don’t know. They’re a little—”
“I know they be a bunch of quare hawks, but you need to be gettin’ yerself a bird.”
I began to realize, once Badge had a few drinks, his Irish slang came out indiscriminately. This time I didn’t dare ask what a quare hawk or a bird meant.
“Oye.” He shook his head and pounded his mug on the table. “Don’t be a Fecky the Ninth! A girl, lad! Or don’t ya be likin’ girls?”
Ash came to mind. Though I wouldn’t pursue a relationship with her considering my heritage, she’d been the first girl I’d ever noticed as being pretty. Back when we were kids, the three of us would sit for hours on the beach at Fannette Island, shooting the breeze. Even at fourteen, she’d talk about her passion for swimming, politics, and keeping Tahoe free from pollution. I’d hang on her every word, amazed at the depth of her understanding and confidence of what she wanted out of life.
I thought all girls would be like that until I met the other mermaids in Natatoria. They were flighty and only concerned with the latest girly trinket or palace gossip. Quite a disappointment.
“Yeah, of course I do. Geez, I’ve never heard them called birds before!”
“Aye,” Badge mumbled something indecipherable under his breath.
“We’re home,” I heard Sandy sing-song from the front door porthole.
I sighed, hoping Sandy would subtly explain Badger’s Irish humor to me. “We? Who ya brin’ with ya?” Badge snipped.
From behind the curtain, Sandy and the redheaded girl who distracted me yesterday stepped into the living space. I shot to my feet.
“Well, look who’s here,” Badge said, getting to his feet as well. “How’s my lil’ gingernut?”
“Uncle Badger,” she said playfully and walked forward to give him a hug.
“You be looking flah today.”
“Thank you,” the girl said gracefully, smoothing her skirt with her hands.
Badge whirled around, grabbed Sandy into an embrace, and leaned her backwards, planting a kiss on her lips. “Missed ya, love.”
I looked away and noticed the redheaded girl move aside
to keep from getting knocked over, cheeks flushed. Our eyes met for a second and she smiled sheepishly. Adrenaline zinged through my veins.
Sandy came up for air and righted herself. “I guess I should leave more often,” she said. “I didn’t know Fin would be keeping you company. Let me get everyone some treats.” She disappeared into the kitchen with a dripping wet bag in her hands.
Awkwardly I stood and waited for Badge to suggest something, watching the redheaded girl look everywhere but at me.
“Well, sit yerselves down.” Badge led us to the couch and forced us to sit together by placing his meaty hands on our shoulders and pushing down. “Lily, this here is Fin. He be a sound lad, so you should get to know him. And Fin, you’d be right to mind yer manners with my niece.”
“Uh, hi,” I said and offered my hand.
She took it and smiled; her green eyes sparkled at me under thick black lashes. “Hello.”
My stomach did flip-flops when the soft skin of her hand brushed against mine.
“So, we were talkin’ about the courtin’ room in the palace and wondered what the kids were doin’ there. I was quizzin’ Fin on why he don’t attend.”
Lily scrunched up her face. “Oh, it’s ‘cause it’s so boring, Uncle. The girls stay on one side of the room and the boys, the other. With the chaperones floating about you can barely get close enough to talk without someone tapping you on the shoulder, making you stay six inches apart.”
In awe, I watched her lips move. The perfect pink crescents framed white straight teeth and produced a source of melodic eloquence I’d only experienced with Ash.
Badger slammed his cup down again, knocking me out of my daydream. “Janey Mack! Why do they all got their knickers in a bunch over kids talkin’? How they expectin’ folk to be attending the festival if they don’t let you at least mingle? If I were a chappy, ya all would be getting’ promised tomorra’.”
“Uncle.” Lily rolled her eyes. “How anyone can think we’d just start making out because we were alone in the same room with a boy is absurd. We know the promise is a lifetime bond and, contrary to popular belief, mermaids do have self-control. Besides, have you seen the mermen? There definitely isn’t anyone there I really want to—” she looked down and blushed, “—court.”
She flicked a glance at me. I swallowed hard, lost for words.
“Ya got a level head on yer shoulders like yer ma and aunt,” Badge interjected.
Lily smiled. “Thanks.” She perched her hands on her knees. “So, I don’t think I’ve even seen you at the palace. Are you visiting?”
“Uh.” My mouth became dry. “Yeah, I guess so. We—my family—spend most of our time in Tahoe, guarding the gate.”
“Oh?” Recognition flashed across her face. “That’s it. You must be Colin’s cousin. Right?”
I looked away, unsure if our relation would harm my chances of getting to know her further or not. “Yes?” I eventually croaked out. “Are you friends?”
“Yeah, actually. He’s always talking about taking over the gate and I haven’t seen him around lately, so—”
I ran my hand through my hair. “Yeah, he’s there now ‘cause my dad had to go on a mission for the King.”
“Oh, wow.” Lily’s eyes grew wide in understanding for a second. “I see.”
I looked away and Sandy came back in the room with a tray of cheese and crackers, along with fresh strawberries, grapes, and cut up wedges of apple with peanut butter. “Lily and I went into town today and picked up some fresh fruit.”
Badger grunted in approval.
“Oh, my gosh!” Lily suddenly exclaimed, “I can see now why you spend so much time on land, Fin! The town was amazing. People were everywhere. Girls and guys holding hands and kissing right in public, and Sandy made me wear a dress and shoes. Shoes! Can you believe it?” She propped her barefoot up on the table and giggled with pride. “Look. I’ve even got a blister!”
Badger laughed. “Only me niece would think a wound received on land is a badge of honor. Now this be a wound.” He pointed to a large scar on his thigh. Sandy punched him in the arm and gave him the evil eye, while sitting on the arm of his chair. “I was teasin’.” Badge rubbed his arm and tried to act hurt until Sandy wove her hands into his hair.
Lily swooned, oblivious to their incessant flirting, and continued. “And we ate homemade pizza which was amazing and chocolate ice cream. And the animals—I’ve heard about dogs, but never seen one in real life before. This little white fluffy one was so adorable. I wanted to take him home with me.”
“You’ve never been on land?” I asked, eyebrows knitted together.
“Well, we went once when I was younger, but not where people were around and definitely not to a—what did you call that, Auntie? A farm?”
“A farmers’ market,” Sandy corrected.
“Yes, with the farmers selling their fruits and vegetables in a park. I can’t wait to try an avocado and a tomato. But you say you live on land in Tahoe all the time? How do you get to do that?”
“Uh, we’ve got a pool in our basement.” I licked my lips, amazed at how naÏve she was to the world above her. I guess if you always stayed in Natatoria, you wouldn’t know what life on land was like. “We also have a sailing business and take people on cruises around the lake.”
“You take humans on rides in your boat? No way!” Her eyes bulged from their sockets. “How did you get permission to do that?”
“Lily,” Sandy interrupted, “remember, you have to keep our adventure a secret. We don’t want anyone to know that I go on land as often as I do.”
“Of course. But I can talk to Fin about it. Right?”
Sandy chuckled and curled up into a tighter ball on Badger’s lap as he rubbed her shoulders. “Yes. Fin’s safe.”
Lily looked at me with a glimmer of wonder and touched her lips. “I wish I lived on land and my parents had a gate instead of sea bed cultivation. I can’t believe you get to be like a human every day.”
I shrugged. “It’s kinda cool, I guess. People, for the most part, are like us except they don’t promise for life and there’s crime and stuff. But, it’s not all that bad. One day I hope to guard the Tahoe gate myself. I like the vibe there.”
Lily sank back in her seat and curled her legs underneath her body. With a dreamy look, she bit her lip. “Wow. I wish I could live in a real house in a town like you and have a dog. Maybe one day.” She hit me with a look that zinged an electrical current down my torso and into my legs.
“Yeah,” I choked out, trying to sound like her suggestion didn’t affect me like it did, “I think you’d like it.”
Badger and Sandy, lost in each other’s eyes, hummed in agreement.
17 - ASH
The time flew by faster than I expected, and the fact that it was April 1st and the day before my big meet and Senior Ball was no joke. Nightmares of being crowned Senior Ball Queen in my underwear or trying to swim my race in JELL-O riddled my dreams.
I yawned at the cafeteria table, resting my chin against my palm while Georgia filled in the quiet with her random observations. Callahan, who’d become a regular at our table had a pre-game baseball meeting, putting a damper on my spirits. The way he’d blended right in as if he’d always been there and easily opened me up in our conversations left me awestruck. And again, we’d talked the night before until 1AM.
Georgia pushed the hair off her forehead with a freshly manicured fingernail. “So, I’m all set for tonight’s up-do practice. I picked up this amazing hair paste and I can’t wait to try it out.”
“Sounds good.” I sucked the last drop of milk from my carton but continued to make an obnoxious gurgling noise, remembering something Callahan said the night before—about wanting to have a son so he could teach him to snowboard.
Georgia reached over and stole the noisemaker from my hands. “Seriously, could you be any more blasÉ about this?”
I leaned back in my chair and folded my arms. “I’m not. I’m just thin
king.”
The warning bell rang and she moaned. “All ready? Come on. Let’s go.”
I scuffed my feet slowly behind her, still lost in a multitude of worries and thoughts. Once the school day finally ended, I headed to my locker to deposit my books before practice. In one swift turn, I plowed right into Callahan.
“Hey,” he said, steadying me by my shoulders, holding me there, “where’s the fire?”
“Oh, hi.” I looked up into his big brown eyes beneath the shadow of his STHS baseball hat. “Do you have a game today?”
My legs wobbled as he rubbed his warm hands further down my arms.
His eyes softened. “Yeah. Can you come?”
My lips curled up as I imagined myself in the stands, my presence his good luck charm. “Is it here?”
“It’s in Minden.”
“Oh.” I frowned. Swim practice would be at least an hour, then afterward Georgia expected me to do make-over night. Not to mention Minden was at least forty-five minutes away and I didn’t have a car. “Why couldn’t it be a home game?” I mumbled.
“You’ve got plans?” Disappointment darkened his face.
“Sort of. Sorry.”
“That’s too bad. Maybe next time.”
We stood extra close as the hall emptied out, everyone rushing off to get to his or her Friday night plans or the locker rooms. My eyes darted to his perfect lips and my heart took off in a gallop, wondering if he’d make a move.
“Callahan. We’re late. Let’s go!” someone called down the hall, breaking his concentration.
Darn it.
“I’ll call you tonight,” he said and pulled me into a hug, kissing the top of my head.
I breathed in his scent, tempted to stretch up and kiss his neck. Instead I ran my hand over his muscled chest on top of his jersey as he held me close. “Of course.”
He released me, was down the hall, and around the corner before I knew it. I leaned up against my locker to regain my composure. Maybe I could break plans with Georgia, beg Mom for a ride, and catch the tail end of the game.
